Part 31 (1/2)

Many a ”Happy New Year,” was exchanged among them as they gathered--a bright faced, cheerful set--in the pleasant breakfast-room and about its bountiful table.

Each had a gift to show, for all had been remembered in that way by either the captain or Violet, some by both, and each one had received or did now receive, something from Grandma Elsie--a book, toy or game.

The gifts seemed to give universal satisfaction and all were in gayest spirits.

Shortly after breakfast--almost before the children had done with comparing and talking about their presents--the other guests began to arrive, and by ten o'clock everybody who had been invited was there.

Then began the fun of arranging themselves in groups and having photographs taken; after that the acting of the charades.

The picture suggested by Violet was taken first. In it Grandma Elsie was seated between her father on one side, and her namesake daughter on the other, Mrs. Leland having her babe in her arms, while little Ned leaned confidingly against his great-grandfather's knee.

The captain and Violet, with their two little ones, made another pretty picture. Then the captain was taken again with his older three grouped about him. Then Grandma Elsie again with her son Edward and his Zoe, standing behind her, Rosie and Walter one on each side.

She thought this quite enough, but her college boys insisted on having her taken again, seated between them.

It was then proposed that the other members of the company should be taken in turn--singly or in groups;--but all declined, expressing a decided preference for spending the time in a more amusing manner, such as forming tableaux and acting charades.

The older people took possession of a large parlor and sat there conversing, while the younger ones consulted together and made their arrangements in the library.

Misconstrue was the first word chosen. Presently Evelyn walked into the parlor, followed almost immediately by Harold with a book in his hand.

”You are here, Miss?” he said glancing at Evelyn. ”And you, Miss?” as Sydney Dinsmore came tripping in from the hall.

”Yes; and here comes another Miss;” she replied, as Lulu appeared in the open doorway.

”I too, am a miss; there are four of us here now,” said Rosie, coming up behind Lulu.

”I am a miss,” proclaimed Maud Dinsmore, stepping in after Rosie.

”And I am a miss,” echoed Lora Howard, coming after her.

”Well, stand up in a row and let us see if you can say your lesson without a miss,” said Harold.

”Oh it's a spelling school--all of girls!” remarked Grace in a low aside to her little friend Rosie Lacey; they two having chosen a place among the spectators rather than with the actors on this occasion.

”Yes,” returned Rosie; ”I wonder why they don't have some of the boys in the cla.s.s too.”

”When did Columbus discover America, Miss Maud?” asked Harold.

”In 1942,” returned Maud with the air of one who is quite confident of the correctness of her reply.

”A miss for you,” said Harold. ”Next. When did Columbus discover America?”

”In 1620, just after the landing of the pilgrims,” answered Sydney.

”Another miss,” said Harold. ”Next.”

”Something happened in 1775,” said Eva meditatively.

”Oh!” cried Rosie, ”Columbus' discovery was long before that--somewhere about the year 1000, was it not, Mr. Travilla?”